Jennifer Westacott - Fran Kelly, ABC Breakfast

Stronger Together

Momentum Builds Towards Modern Slavery Act

We welcome the Turnbull government’s announcement that it will pursue a Modern Slavery Act, an initiative that we have vocally supported. More

Submission to the Inquiry into Establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia

June 2017

Large businesses should take a leadership role on this issue. Large businesses have the resources and expertise required to get a better understanding of their supply chains and their purchasing power gives them the capacity to effect change. More

Growing Support For Modern Slavery Act

5 June 2017

Australians’ living standards have risen enormously through greater international trade. However, it has also increased the risk that products and services sold here are tainted by the use of forced labour. More

Business Council Announces New Code To Speed Up Payments To Small Business Suppliers

12 March 2017

A voluntary, industry-led effort to drive change in payments culture and practices should be given time to work before any consideration of regulation, which would impose extra costs on all business and taxpayers, says Jennifer Westacott. More

No Place For Modern Slavery

29 March 2017

Increased global trade has delivered great benefits for Australians, but it has also increased the risk that products and services have been tainted by the use of forced labour, say Grant King and Jennifer Westacott. More

Business Leaders Fight For Australian Prosperity

28 March 2017

More than 70 chief executives representing the nation’s biggest employers are meeting with government and opposition this week to discuss priorities for a more competitive economy and strategies to lift business investment and income growth. More

Statement On The Rule Of Law

16 March 2017

All citizens, and especially those of us who are community leaders, have a responsibility to abide by the law and set an example for others, says Jennifer Westacott. More

The Numbers Stack Up, Now Let's Get Moving on Infrastructure

1 March 2017

Amid public frustration at the seeming inability of politicians to get things done, Infrastructure Australia's priorities list provides an opportunity for the governing class to prove their doubters wrong, says Jennifer Westacott. More

Jennifer Westacott: Priorities for Prosperity

28 January 2017

We must continually strive towards a socially just and cohesive society with better jobs, higher wages and a strong social safety net, writes Jennifer Westacott. More

2016 Indigenous Engagement Survey

6 December 2016

Indigenous employment has grown by 30 per cent among Business Council member companies since 2014, our new Indigenous Engagement Survey report shows. More

The True Value of Humanities

4 November 2016

Jennifer Westacott on how humanities can play a fundamental role in the prosperity agenda. More

Supply Nation's Connect 2016 Keynote Speech by Jennifer Westacott

2 May 2016

Jennifer Westacott speaks about innovation in the face of major technological disruption, and the implications for supplier relationships, entrepreneurship and enterprise creation. More

Statement on Constitutional Recognition Referendum Council

7 December 2015

We congratulate Michael Rose, Chair of our Indigenous Engagement Task Force, on his appointment to the Referendum Council. More

Boosting Employment Outcomes for People with Disability

29 October 2015

A report which looks at the role business can play in driving greater workforce participation and inclusion for people with disability. More

Workforce Inclusion of People with Disability

27 October 2015

This report summarises the results of a survey aimed at generating baseline data and insights about disability employment practices. More

New Resource to Help Business Promote Jobs for Indigenous People

27 October 2015

The AHRC and BCA launch ‘Targeted recruitment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – A guideline for employers’. More

Governance is Stronger When Two Worlds Connect

21 October 2015

Independentdirectory is a joint initiative of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations and the BCA. More

Statement on Constitutional Recognition

26 June 2015

The substance of the committee’s position aligns with BCA principles of fairness and shared prosperity. More

The Purple House Fund Launch

16 April 2015

Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott will launch the fund at a celebration in Melbourne in support of the Purple House (Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation).
More

Supporting and Celebrating Indigenous Initiative and Success

16 April 2015

The Purple House Fund is an initiative that enables patients suffering end-stage renal disease to receive treatment on their country. More

The Purple House Fund

15 April 2015

The Purple House, is an Alice Springs-based organisation, providing a unique and innovative community care and social support service for patients suffering end-stage renal disease. More

A joint roundtable stemming from the collaboration between ACOSS, the BCA, and the ACTU found there are major barriers towards getting unemployed people into jobs. More

Improving Indigenous Economic and Employment Outcomes: Lessons from Business Experience

November 2012

Key ingredients of success and policy lessons for beneficial business–Indigenous engagement.
More

One Country, Many Voices: Update on the Indigenous Engagement Activities of the BCA and Its Members

23 November 2012

Address by BCA President Tony Shepherd to the Reconciliation Australia Government and Business Luncheon.
More

BCA 2012 Indigenous Engagement Survey

November 2012

Indigenous engagement is fast becoming an essential aspect of business practice among Australia’s large companies. More

Strong Showing in 2012 BCA Indigenous Engagement Survey

23 November 2012

Indigenous engagement is fast becoming an essential aspect of business practice among Australia’s large companies. More

Praise for Indigenous Core Values

15 October 2012

BCA member companies are experiencing the two-way benefits of working with Indigenous organisations and individuals. More

Disadvantaged Still Missing Fair Share of Rich Pickings

12 October 2012

Anti-Poverty Week gives the community the chance to reflect on what has been achieved in tackling poverty and disadvantage, and on continuing failures in breaking cycles of disadvantage. More

Constitutional Recognition a Goal Worth Getting Right

20 September 2012

An Act of Recognition would move our country toward a referendum for recognition of Indigenous Australians in our Constitution.
More

Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Amendment Bill 2012

March 2012

Certain parts of the Bill could unnecessarily increase business reporting costs and fail to achieve the objective to improve workplace gender equality.
More

Submission to the New South Wales Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs

March 2012

Some key themes that have emerged in feedback provided by BCA member companies through surveys and other forums.
More

Aboriginal Jobs Push Here to Stay

8 February 2012

Creative initiatives by Australia’s largest businesses are having an increasingly significant impact in supporting Indigenous employment and economic development. More

Cultural Recognition Promotes Economic Equality

19 January 2012

Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians could play an important role in closing economic opportunity gaps between Indigenous and other Australians. More

Remove Racism of a Previous Era from the Heart of our Constitution

8 December 2011

Full and equal recognition of Indigenous Australians our Constitution is essential, argues Graham Bradley in The Australian. More

Business Trailblazing in Indigenous Economic Engagement

9 November 2011

Business Council of Australia members are reaching out in ever larger numbers to help improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians. More

Vision and Values: Working Together to Close the Gap

October 2011

Business Council of Australia 2011 Indigenous Engagement Survey report. More

Submission to the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians

September 2011

Prepared in response to the discussion paper released by the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians as part of its consultation process.
More

Support for Workers with Disabilities Calls for Three-way Partnership

1 September 2011

Countries such as New Zealand could serve as a model, writes Graham Bradley in The Age. More

Submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Disability Care and Support

June 2011

Supports the establishment of a National Disability Insurance Scheme as proposed by the Productivity Commission’s draft report on disability care and support. More

Submission to Safe Work Australia on the Draft Model Work Health and Safety Regulations and Model Codes of Practice

April 2011

The submission highlights the importance of efforts to develop a harmonised national OHS framework to apply across Australia. More

Workforce Participation of People with Disabilities: BCA Advocacy

February 2011

Additional responses to correspondence we have received seeking clarification of our advocacy position and activities in this area. More

BCA Not Calling for Disability Support Pensions to be Cut

14 February 2011

The Disability Support Pension forms a vital function in Australia’s welfare system for those who do not have, or have limited capacity, to participate in the paid workforce. More

Submission on the Draft Indigenous Economic Development Strategy

December 2010

Uses the principles put forward by the federal government to analyse the lessons learnt by BCA members in supporting Indigenous economic development, and suggest our top tips for success. More

Common Ground, Uncommon Results: Closing the Gap

October 2010

The strong common ground between business, the community and all sides of politics in the determination to close the gap is cause for real optimism. More

Big Business Shows Leadership in Closing the Gap

22 October 2010

BCA members are increasingly active in developing creative strategies to increase Indigenous engagement in the Australian economy.
More

The Worm Has Turned: Women in Leadership 2010

18 August 2010

Speech by BCA Chief Executive Katie Lahey on the topic of women in leadership. More

Closing the Gap Delivers Community-Wide Benefits

1 July 2010

The Goulburn Valley stands to gain sizeable benefits from closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage. More

CEOs Step up to Take Direct Action on Women in Top Jobs

31 March 2010

New mentoring initiative to help high-achieving women rise to the top of the corporate ladder. More

Stronger Plans Are Needed to Ensure Gender Parity

16 November 2009

It defies belief that, in a sophisticated and modern country such as Australia, we are even talking about paying a woman the same amount as a man for a day’s work – it should already be long-established practice writes Katie Lahey. More

Many Connections, One Goal: Closing the Gap

28 October 2009

A report on BCA member engagement with Indigenous Australian communities. More

Indigenous Commitments Welcome but Economic Reform Lags

2 July 2009

The BCA welcomes the agreement by COAG today to step up efforts to close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage, but concerns remain that progress in the vital business deregulation agenda is slipping. More

Early Help for Unemployed Important to Lift Participation

24 February 2009

Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Katie Lahey welcomes the announcement by the federal government of immediate assistance for workers facing unemployment as a result of the global economic downturn. More

2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal

9 February 2009

The BCA encourages business and individuals to donate to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. More

Push Aside the Fog and Close the Gap

31 October 2008

The Business Council of Australia has a multifaceted social impact, writes Greig Gailey in The Age. More